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Castle Ashby
Things to Do in Castle Ashby
Castle Ashby Gardens
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Castle Ashby Gardens

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See all things to do
Castle Ashby Gardens
4.5
#1 of 3 things to do in Castle Ashby
Gardens
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
Castle Ashby Gardens is home to Parkland designed by Capability Brown, Formal Italian Gardens, an Arboretum, and a small Animal Menagerie. The Gardens are extremely well maintained and are among the best in the county. There is something here for everyone.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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27 within 3 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
633 reviews
Excellent
382
Very good
193
Average
26
Poor
15
Terrible
17
Rachel H
Northampton, UK29 contributions
Ok but not if you just want to go somewhere for a walk
Aug 2020 • Family
The gardens are lovely and they have the social distancing sorted out. I noticed people having a picnic. However. it isn’t a big garden for the cost of getting in. The gardens aren’t that remarkable. Definitely not worth the cost if you are just looking to go for a walk. Also slightly irritating the online ticket doesn’t allow for one adult plus children so for one adult and child - I had to pay for two adults.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FAP68
Bedford, UK17 contributions
Disappointing - not much to see or do!
Sep 2020 • Couples
There was very little to see and do for couples. I was hoping to spend the day there as I do with national trust sites. But ended up spending just over an hour! It’s the first time I’ve visited a site and have been disappointed even with the walled garden! Not a place I would recommend especially if you want to get away from the crowds and screaming children
Written December 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cat
Northampton, England, United Kingdom21 contributions
Not bad
Dec 2020 • Friends
Not a bad walk with the dogs. The gardens are not at their best in December of course but they made a very welcome change from the usual mud sodden walks. With no kids actually found it hard to spend more than an hour & a half so a bit expensive during the summer.
Dogs on leads in the formal areas but are allowed to run free in the aboretum.
Keep your eyes peeled for sheep, they were loose in an adjacent field with no warning signs. A ditch & wire fence keeps sheep in but my dog could easily have jumped across 🙈
Written December 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane W
3 contributions
Lovely gardens and meerkats
Sep 2019 • Friends
We’ve become very fond of this place. Really well maintained beautiful gardens, some animals which are always worth a look. The cafe offers a range of food which we’ve enjoyed. The grandchildren enjoy spending time in the extensive play area which was recently refurbished.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Officeteam
We are so pleased you and your grandchildren enjoy the gardens so much. Don't forget we run a Easter Egg Hunt which is always a pleasant family treat.
Written March 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
907rainbow
London, UK70 contributions
Best italian gardens ever visited with excellent coffee shop
Jul 2021
On arrival there is a cafe and it is excellent whether you want sandwiches or toasties and cakes are delicious and so are the drinks and not expensive and a shame they can't help other venues that are run so bad with catering . Then there is the gardens they are the best as so well maintained. with many ponds etc and areas for child play and animals to visit ...well worth a visit!!!!
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard N
Northampton, UK1 contribution
Disappointing visit
Aug 2022 • Couples
Disappointed that cafe is now closed so you can't get any refreshments
Also beware that you have to buy tickets online only, so if you haven't you'll have to try to book on your mobile with poor signal. Also the website isn't mobile friendly so it takes an age to complete. Staff unhelpful.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ToddingtonB
Toddington68 contributions
Great place for gardeners with children.
Aug 2023 • Family
Great place for gardeners and children. The gardens are immaculate, with lawns that children can run on. The orangery had a pool with carp that fascinated a 3 year old. There are beautiful flower beds and herbaceous borders. It is not large but perfect for a toddler! Then you discover the menagerie with entertaining merecats and very chatty pigs. There is a selection of rabbits, guinea pigs goats and birds. You can also do a longer walk around the lake but that was a bit too much for our toddler. We headed to the café. Not the cheapest but excellent quality food. The pannini came with a large bowl of crisps side salad with a lovely dressing and really lively thick bacon. The kids Box also had a perfect sandwich made with proper soft fluffy bread. We finished off in the play area that had something for toddlers to 12 year olds. We were also impressed by the amount of seating around the area. We spent 3 hours there and really enjoyed it as there was something to interest 3 generations.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn
Milton Keynes, UK34 contributions
Beautiful Gardens
Aug 2021 • Family
This is quite possibly my favourite place to visit in Northamptonshire.

The gardens are absolutely beautiful, with a large orangery, menagerie and plenty of areas to have a picnic.

You can obviously tell that the gardeners/landscapers really take pride in their work.

The cafe onsite is lovely after a nice walk around the grounds.

Our two children love coming here and so do we!
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz K
Grange-over-Sands, UK59 contributions
Does the Marquess actually want visitors?!
Sep 2022 • Friends
As other reviewers say, the ticket booking is not easy online and at £11, not cheap. Then no signage as to where to enter, and a lone chap checking tickets, no maps, no guides, and a plethora of signs saying Keep Off this that snd the other. The gardens were looking a bit tired, and the buildings dilapidated. The place needs visitor revenue but doesn’t seem to be trying very hard to get it! Cafe still shut. Underwhelming, and it could be so lovely.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaeta
Peterborough, UK24 contributions
Just Fine for a Quick Stroll. Lovely Scones
Sep 2020
This is a fine place for what it is. The orangery is delightful, as is the fuschia greenhouse. Little children will love the menagerie and the play equipment. The walls of the walled garden are amazing and look like an Inca ball field. The butterfly garden is charming. However, much of the property is off limits, as it is still a family house, and it won’t take you more than an hour to walk the grounds. You can picnic there, which is nice. It cannot compare to the grounds of many great homes in the area and I am not sure it is worth the admission price.. The tea was very nice, and the scones excellent, though the one way system to use the tea rooms and to sit down at a table is a bit confusing.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Castle Ashby Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Castle Ashby Gardens
Castle Ashby Gardens is open:
  • Thu - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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